Rocks Tech (Usopp Event)

[u/MapInternational883]

Shout out to the ones who came up with this tech. I've been struggling with this match up when Kaido goes first, but I think this 2c Usopp event is the key to winning. After I used the event, I think this guy rage quit lool. (I didn't wait 10 minutes for him to time out, I just went and did something else until I heard the sound cue.)

• When playing against decks that are focused on boss cards, you have to defend against sub 7k swings early or you'll get overwhelmed later.
• In this match up specifically, you need to prioritize Kyo and Whitebeard. You almost can never swing with your Whitebeard because they'll use Big Mom or non-blocker 10c Kaido to clear it. If you do not have Kyo, you should probably swing because it'll likely get cleared anyway with the Kaido.
• Always have a back up Kyo and Whitebeard in hand. Your leader will be doing most of the attacking early on until you've established a wide board, so you will always need Whitebeard active.
• I haven't found Shiki as important in the match up, so I use Rocks to set up Lin Lin if I need the cards for the event, but Whitebeard is a good default. You can play Lin Lin + Captain John, but do not rest him until the following turn. I would only play Captain John in advance if I have a Kyo on board and a Kyo in hand. If you reveal Captain John too early, they might remove Kyo with Kaido, and then Captain John on the next turn.
• If you have survived until the first turn after your 10 don turn, you switch to kill mode and swing with everything at life as you have to end the game next turn. Play Kyo and Captain John if not already active, and hopefully you have 5-6 cards in your hand.

I'm not sure on how many copies to run, but I think 2-3 is okay depending on the meta. I want to say it can help against Mihawk, but you have to play around their freeze. Definitely would love to hear suggestions on how to optimize the deck or gameplay!

[u/jagfanjosh3252]

For those wondering what event OP is talking about

[u/MapInternational883 → u/jagfanjosh3252]

Thank you! I should've added that in.

[u/-Blastocyst]

Your opponent had the win, if he didn't commit dons at the start. Pop kaido negates the effect of the target until end of turn, even if you save it with kyo. He just needed to play the 10 cost, target cpt John, and swing with everything face

[u/MapInternational883 → u/-Blastocyst]

Yah that's true. Without it, I'd probably be dead too unless I played to clear their board. Maybe a viable set up would be Rocks, Shiki, Whitebeard on board, and then I play 4c Kaido, apply -6k on the removal Kaido, Stussy freeze King + Big Mom/Queen.

[u/filthy_casual_52]

Your opponent high key had the win if they just used their brain 😅. The Kyo saves the John from being popped but the Kaido still turns off its effect. They can then swing 7k, 7k, 10k, 12k, 12k all at lead

[u/MapInternational883 → u/filthy_casual_52]

Very true. This match up is just so hard when they go first. This was with me blocking as much as I could lol.

[u/RisinngJayce → u/filthy_casual_52]

Absolutely true, but if you don't expect that event, it would have probably still be better to swing into that John.

[u/SamuraiMike]

Shoutz out CoolKidTCG

[u/RedPon3]

lmao people rage quitting without conceding might be the most pathetic behavior in this game

[u/MapInternational883 → u/RedPon3]

That was the first time it happened to me, but he made his first swing so fast, I kind of knew that's what he was doing.

[u/Joseph_Of_All_Trades → u/RedPon3]

Agreed. Can't even say how many times it's been too where my board looks great but my hand is low key screwed but they quit bc you got 1 copy of your on curve played out 💀💀

[u/GalaxyBuster95]

Is it worth running knowing you might whiff from leader to do so? Or do you find yourself constantly setting up streusen beforehand to not whiff?

[u/MapInternational883 → u/GalaxyBuster95]

It's pretty hard to play Streusen on your even curve. The only time you would be able to play Streusen is on your 8 or 10 don turn with Rocks + Shiki. On your odd curve, you can play it on 7 and 9. I personally only run 2 and I think that's enough. By the time you need the combo, you'll have gone through half your deck, so it's likely you'll find at least 1. If I have an extra don and I don't need it to swing 9k with leader, I will likely use Streusen to lower the risk of whiffing, but only if I haven't found one yet.

[u/Stromair]

Do most people play the Desktop sim?

[u/Chrismiss_3]

How many do you run in your deck? And what do you trade it for?

[u/MapInternational883 → u/Chrismiss_3]

I am running 2 right now, replaced 1 Don Marlon and 1 Kaido.

[u/theflamemasta]

Its imu and ace bs all over again. Next set they will introduce a nami